Raphael Olivier's stunning photographs unveil the unique architecture of North Korea's secretive capital

"This express dip into the 'North' suddenly opened my eyes beyond anything I would have ever imagined," Raphael told Creative Boom. "The place actually fascinated me, everything about it was amazing. So much so that the next year, I decided to return for a longer trip in order to get a chance to see and understand more about this country so often misjudged."

One of the most obvious aspects of Pyongyang which immediately caught his attention was its "retro vibe and architecture". Which is why, during his second visit, he aimed to photograph its unique urban landscape. Through this series, many of the buildings he captured have a very strong Soviet modernist influence with a distinctive Korean style of their own.

"As opposed to many cities, which are now starting to look all the same worldwide, Pyongyang sees very little advertising or visual pollution, offering the visitor a very raw display of its urban form," Raphael adds. "To this day, Pyongyang is still one the most memorable places I have ever visited and, regardless of anyone's opinion on political or economic matters, I think it's fair to say that everyone visiting Pyongyang is left impressed by the city's strong and proud character.

"My images are only a glimpse into a world that seems so distant yet so real, but I encourage anyone curious about the DPRK to go and visit to make an idea for themselves." Discover more at raphaelolivier.com.